NCAA investigating UNE financial aid

BIDDEFORD — The University of New England is being investigated by the NCAA for possible financial aid violations that could result in sanctions against the school’s hockey program.

The Maine Sunday Telegram said the probe is apparently focusing on whether the Biddeford, Maine, school broke NCAA rules that prohibit Division III athletes from receiving athletic scholarships. The NCAA requires that financial aid for athletes mirror financial aid for the school as a whole.

Stacey Osburn, an NCAA spokeswoman, told the Telegram that the organization’s policy is not to comment on matters that the NCAA is investigating.

“The school has some leeway as to whether or not they want to discuss the status of an investigation,” Osburn said. “But we can’t comment until an investigation has been closed.”

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A UNE administrator told the Telegram that the NCAA is studying financial reports from the school and that it is cooperating in the investigation which may take several months to finish.

“We’re cooperating with them in good faith,” said John Tumiel, senior adviser to President Danielle Ripich. “We’ve agreed to not get out in front. When they have reached their conclusion we will have a more detailed statement as well.”